Gullwing Motorcars is selling a 52-year-old Maserati sports car in the USA. This specific example is a Mexico model from a limited series of 175 units, and the odometer reads 45,500 miles (73,200 kilometers).
The asking price is comparatively low at $79,500, but the seller explains that the vehicle stood motionless for the past 35 years, so its condition is a far cry from ideal.
The Maserati Mexico (see video) was on sale in 1966–1973. An unofficial origin story of its name holds that a Maserati customer came to Italy from Mexico once to buy an early concept car, prompting the company to reflect the fact in the production car name. For its own part, though, Maserati claims the name refers to John Surtees, a racing driver from the UK who piloted a Maserati-engined Cooper T81 to victory at the 1966 Mexico Gran Prix.
A total of 485 such cars left the factory, only 175 of them equipped with the biggest engine: a 4.7-liter V8 rated at 290 PS (286 hp / 213 kW). Automatic transmission was already an option, but this example is manual. Both maxed out at 250 km/h (155 mph).
The seller claims the car used to be driven daily back in its glory days. Unfortunately, three decades of complete immobility caused it to deteriorate below drivable condition. As of right now, it needs a thorough restoration in the cabin, where the white leather had cracked all over, and under the hood. The exterior is relatively fine with only minor defect.
The Mexico still has its OEM spoked wheels, an air conditioner, a stereo system, and power windows.